Pumping apparatus



May 29, 1934.

A. W. BURKS PUMPING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l May 29, 1934.

A. w. BURKS PUMPING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v 3mm 27/7/71 W. Burks May 29, 1934. A. w. BURKS PUMPING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1932 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 29, 1934 PUMPING APPARATUS Arthur W. Burks, Decatur, Ill. Application June 23, 1932, Serial No. 618.987

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to pressure supply systems for liquids and contemplates the provision of a main pumping unit comprising a pressure tank, motor, pump and control means, and

a subsidiary unit made up of the motor and pump. The motor and pump unit is of such construction as to be readily associable with the tank with the pump disposed in the lower portion of the tank, a connection between the pumping and supply opening being automatically made upon placement of the pump in its operating position. The motor casing serves as a closure for the top of the tank and completes the air-tight pressure dome. 53? Novel means are provided to initiate air pump ing when liquid in the tank reaches a predetermined level and to prevent back-flow from the tank when pumping is interrupted by means responsive" to a predetermined air pressure in the top of the tank.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical section apparatus.

Figure 2 is an axial section of the pump. Figure 3 is a plan view of the pump impeller. Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of the pump casing.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 2. Figure 6 is a section of the elements of Figures 3 and 4 taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a float controlled valve, and

Figure 8 is a sectional view of valve mechanism operable to shut oif water pumping and initiate air pumping and also to prevent back-flow from the tank.

' Referring to the drawings, reference numeral .10 designates a tank here shown as being cylindrical and provided with upwardly convexed top and bottom walls 11 and 12 secured to the cylindrical portion in any suitable manner as by welding. Preferably, the tank is made of metal and in any event is of such construction asto be able to withstand a considerable internal pressure.

The top wall 11 of the tank is provided with a central opening 11' in which is disposed an electric motor designated generally at 13. The motor 13 comprises a casing made up of upper and lower portions 14 and 15, the latter having a circular flange seated in an internal annular recess provided in the radially flanged edge 17 of the top portion and secured therein as by machine screws 5 16.. The flange 1 7 is adapted to overlie the marof the complete gins of opening 11' and to be secured thereto by means of bolts 18, packing 19 being interposed between the elements. Casing portion 14 is of air-tight construction.

The armature shaft 20 of the motor is sup ported in ball bearing assemblies 21 and 22 mounted in the cas.ng portions 14 and 15, respectively, and serving as thrust bearings as well as journal bearings. The upper end of the armature shaft lies within a cavity 14' to which lubricant may be supplied upon removal of the screw plug 23, the shaft being provided with a lubricant conduit 24 through which lubricant is supplied to the lower bearing. The lower end of the armature shaft projects through an open- 7 ing in casing portion 15 in concentric relation to a sleeve portion 25 here shown as being integral with portion 15. r

A rotary pump is preferably used and I have shown in the drawings a pump 26 of the turbine 7 type as generally disclosed in my prior United States Patent 1,619,286, dated March 1, 1927. Preferably, however, the pump is of the plural raceway type, specifically disclosed in my prior United States Patent No. 1,861,837, dated June 8 7, 1932, with the exception that since there is no necessity for conduits in connection with the dscharge outlets, no discharge pockets are provided, the outlets being constituted merely by holes in the pump casing.

The pump casing is made up of two portions 27 and 28 which between them define a chamber for the impeller 29. The circular edge of portion 28 is seated in an annular recess of portion 27 and secured therein by means of cap screws 30 and clips 31, Fig. 1. Portion 27 has an axially projecting neck 38 in which is a bushing 33 forming a bearing for the end of the armature shaft 20, the impeller 29 be'ng keyed on the reduced extremity of the armature shaft and secured by means of a nut 34. A tubular element 35 is engaged around neck 32 and rigidly secured thereto, the upper end of the tubular element being threaded in sleeve 25 of motor casing portion 15. A locking ring 36 is threaded on the tubular member and adapted to abut the endof sleeve 25 to hold the tubular element in its adjusted position against rotation relative to the sleeve. For the purpose of pressure equalization, the tubular element 35 is provided with openings 37 and portion 15 of the motor casing is provided with apertures 38 and 39.

To continue with the description of the pump, casing portion 28 is formed on its inner surface with a pair of arcuate grooves 40 and 41 th 1 grooves having inlet openings 42 and 43, respectively, at one end and outlet openings 44 and 45 at their other ends. Grooves 40 and 41 are separated by lands 46 and 4'1. Immediately inwardly of grooves 40 and 41, which are developed on. the same radius; is a concentric series of ribs 48 and a similar series 49 is provided immediately outwardly of the grooves. Centrally the casing portion 28 is provided interiorly with a cavity 50 receiving the impeller boss and nut 34.

Exteriorly, casing portion 28 is provided with pockets 51 and 52 communicating with inlet openings 42 and 43 respectively, these pockets being connected by conduits 53 and 54 with a tubular axially projectng intake 55. As here shown, the tubular intake is substantially frusto-conical in form, tapering towards its extremity, and around it is engaged a washer 56 of compressible or fiexible material, such as rubber, the washer gripping the tubular projection so as to be retained thereon.

The impeller 29 is provided on its lower face with a concentric groove 57 registering with grooves 40 and 41 and has fixed therein blades 58. Inwardly and outwardly of groove 51, the lower face of the impeller is provided with a series of ribs 59 and 60 aranged to engage ribs 48 and 49 to form a seal on each side of the raceway. In other words, the impeller has a predetermined working-fit relation to the lower casing section, due to the interfitting ribs and grooves and, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, it is desirable that this relationship be maintained throughout the life of the pump by relative movement between the impeller and casing. The means for maintaining this predetermined relationship by such relative adjustment has been described and consists of the tubular element 35 supporting the casing sections independently of the impeller, the tubular element being longitudinally adjustable due to its threaded mounting within sleeve 25 and the locking ring 36. In order to maintain the proper working-fit between the impeller and easing, it is, therefore, unnecessary to adjust the pump shaft 20 and the impeller since it is possible to move the casing relatively to the impeller and independently of the motor and impeller shaft. The impeller is provided with perforations 61 and 62 for purposes of pressure equalization and these perforations may be threaded for engagement by the threaded elements of a tractor tool for the removal of the impeller from the shaft 20.

Upon rotation of the impeller relative to the casing, fluid is sucked in through the intake 55 and discharged through openings 44 and 45, the pump casing at the outer ends of these openings being thinned or recessed as at 44' and 45', Figure 5.

Fixed to the bottom wall 12 within the tank is an intake head 63 having a top opening 64 disposed substantially on the center line of opening 11'. An inlet pipe 65 is threaded in an opening in the head and projects through the tank wall forming a sealed joint therewith. Head 63 may be conveniently secured in position by means of a screw 66 threaded through wall 12 and into the head and flxed by welding.

Opening 64 of the head recess is adapted to receive the tubular intake 55 of the pump when the motor and pump unit are associated with the tankwith the pump projecting therein. Exteriorly, the head 63 presents a flat marginal portion about opening 64 upon which the lower surface of washer 56 rests. Upon insertion of the tubular intake in the opening 64, the washer automatical- 1y accommodates itself to form a tight joint between the two elements. Preferably, aperture 64 is somewhat larger than the tubular intake so that the latter may take an eccentric position in the opening in the case of inexact positioning of the various parts. It. will be understood that the washer 56 will seat properly even should the tubular intake be inclined somewhat to the vertical. A tight joint between the pump and intake head is assured, since with the pumping operation, a suction effect exists in the head which tends to draw the washer into close contact therewith. It will be noted that the packing or washer 56 is also exposed to the liquid within the tank, whereby the pressure therein tends to exert an influence on the packing to press the same down upon the inlet head.

The motor and pump are connected together by tubular element 35 to form a rigid unit readily 'associable with and removable from the tank.

The impeller is supported by the armature shaft for rotation in a constant plane and the casing is adjustable relative to the impeller to obtain proper clearances by loosening the locking ring 36 and screwing member 35 into or out of sleeve 25, as required. For example, if through wear of the lower face of the impeller and the cooperating face of easing portion 28 too great a clearance exists, member 35 is screwed inwardly of the sleeve so that the casing is displaced upwardly axially of the armature shaft until proper clearance is secured. Hereupon, the locking ring is again set.

At a point suitably below the maximum desired water level of the tank, an interiorly threaded fitting 6'1 is set in the tank wall and sealed therein. Threaded in the fitting 6'1 is a nipple 68 having an enlarged outer end into the extremity of which is threaded an axially bored plug 69. A stem '10 has a head '71 provided with a substantially semi-cylindrical terminal boss '12 and, inwardly of the latter, with a radial flange '13. A compression spring '14 is engaged between flange '13 and a ledge formed in the nipple. The spring normally holds the head '11 in position as shown in Figure 1, wherein boss '12 is seated in the opening in plug 69 to close the latter. As stem '10 is swung from the illustrated position, however, flange '13 comes into contact with the inner end of plug 69 so as to cam boss '12 out of closing relation to the passage of the plug.

A float '16 is connected by means of a chain '17 with the end of stem '10 within the tank, the float being suspended from an eye-bolt '18 by means of chain '19. If the water in the tank rises substantially above the level shown in Figure 1, float '16 acts to pull upwardly on stem '10 unseating boss 72 and thus permitting water to escape through the passage in plug 69.

A valve housing supported on the outer end of pipe 65 has a chamber 81 in communication with the pipe through opening 82. The bottom wall 83 of chamber 81 is provided with a threaded aperture in which is engaged a screw plug 84 which has an axial bore 85, this bore communicating chamber 81 with a bottom chamber 86, the latter being closed downwardly by a screw plug 87 which is removable to give access to plug 84. An air valve 88 communicates chamber 86 with the atmosphere.

A valve stem 89 projecting through and above passage has a conical head 90 at its lower end ber 81, an abutment block 91 is secured on the" stem, and between the latter and plug 84 is interposed a compression spring 92 which normally seats valve head 90. At its upper end chamber 81 has. an opening in which is disposed a liner 93' tion of a diaphragm 100, the diaphragm and spacer ring being clamped together by a cover plate 101 secured to the casing by means of screws as at 102. Centrally, diaphragm is provided with a collet 103 through which the upper extremity of stem 89 extends with substantial clearance. Collet 95, which has a relatively large opening, is provided at its upper end with clrcumferentially spaced projections as at 104 which engage collet 103 so that the diaphragms are normally held apart with the space therebetween in free communication with chamber 98.

Cover plate 101 is provided centrally with an aperture in which is threaded a fitting 105 which through a tube 106 is connected to plug 69 through a fitting 107 so that when valve boss 72 is unseated, liquid in the tank is forced, under the pressure existing in the latter, into chamber 98 above diaphragm 100.

Housing 80 is provided with a chamber 108 in which is disposed a strainer 109, chamber 108 having an inlet opening in which the suction pipe 116 is threaded, chamber 108 serving to connect the suction line through strainer 109 with chamber 98 by means of a passage 111.

Current for the electric motor 13 is taken in through. a connector 112 and a circuit which includes a pressure responsive switch disposed in a housing 113. Housing 113 has a nipple 114 threaded through wall 11 whereby the air pressure in tank 10 is communicated to the operating mechanism of the switch. The switch may be of any suitable design and need not be specifically described here, since per se it forms no part of the present invention. I

A fitting 115 sealed in an aperture in the tank wall is provided inwardly of the tank with a downwardly faced elbow 116, while in the outer end of the fitting is threaded the discharge pipe 117.

With water in the tank above pump 26 and the motor in operation, switch 113 being closed, the pump, which is self-priming, will draw water in through line 110, housing 80, pipe 66 and head 63. Valve boss 72 is seated as in Figures 1 and 7, diaphragms 96 and 100 occupy the positions shown in Figure 8, and valve 90 is seated also as in Figure 8. When the water in the tank rises to a predetermined level, float '76 unseats valve boss '72 so that water will flow through tube 106 into chamber 98 above diaphragm 100. The opening in collet 103 is insufficient to pass the volume of water entering chamber 98 through tube 106 and consequently diaphragm 100 is forced downwardly, moving with it diaphragm 96 so that disc 94 is seated to cut oil chamber 81 from chamber 98 and water pumping interrupted. In moving downwardly, collet 103 strikes abutment block 91, thereby displacing valve stem 89 nd unseating the head 90 so that chamber 86 is "ed in communication with chamber 81 and air admitted to chamber 86 through valve 88 is pumped into the tank. Air pumping continues until a predetermined whereupon switch 113 is operated to interrupt the circuit to motor 13. Hereupon, liquid in the tank surges back into chamber 81. This liquid, passing upwardly through collet 95 and between the diaphragms, effects a pressure diflerential on the diaphragm 96 such that the latter is held in its lower position with disc 94 seated. This pressure differential exists by reason of the fact that the whole top surface of diaphragm 96 is subjected to the pressure of the liquid, whereas only the considerably smaller lower portion of disc 94 is subiected to this pressure, that portion of diaphragm 96 not covered by disc 94 being subjected to the partial vacuum existing in the suction line. Pressure, however, equalizes on both sides of diaphragm 100 so that the latter takes its normal position as illustrated in Figure 8.

When the water in the tank has fallen toa' certain level, valve boss '12 becomes seated due to the lowering of float 76. When the level falls to such an extent that the drop in pressure in the top of the tank permits switch 113 to close, the pump is again set in operation. The water in chamber 81 is immediately withdrawn as is also any water above diaphragm 100 so that while the pressure has been reached, r

latter may have momentarily moved downwardly upon initiation of pumping, it returns almost immediately to its normal position so as to leave diaphragm 96 free to lift disc 94. The suction effect caused by the pump again has a differential action on diaphragm 96 so that the latter moves upwardly to the position shown in Figure 8, thus unseating disc 94 and placing chamber 81 in communication with inlet pipe 110. It will be understood that the suction existing in chamber 81 influences the entire top surface of diaphragm 96, whereas it influences only the relatively small bottom surface of the disc, thus causing the diaphragm to lift. Pumping now continues and the described cycle of operations is repeated.

.While I have described a specific embodiment of the invention, it is clear that it is susceptible of varied embodiment and accordingly I do not limit myself to specific structure except as in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described, a tank having a top opening, an upwardly faced supply opening in the lower portion of the tank,means insertable through the top opening of the tank to project downwardly therein, said means being securable to the tank for support thereby, a rotary pump supported by said means at the lower end thereof, said pump having a downwardly projecting tubular inlet entering the supply opening in the supported position of said means, and an annular packing member surrounding said tubular inlet and seating on the margins of said supply opening, said packing member being freely slidable on the tubular inlet longitudinally of the latter and being exposed to the pump suction and to the pressure of fluid within the tank whereby to be subjected by both the suction and the pressure within the tank for proper positioning.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a. pressure tank having a top opening, an intake head secured to the tank bottom, an inlet pipe leading opening to project downwardly in the tank, said i means being securable to the tank for support thereby, a rotary pump supported by said means at the lower end thereof, said pump having a downwardly projecting tubular inlet entering the outlet opening of the head in the supported position of said means, and an annular washer or compressible material surrounding and gripping said tubular inlet and seating on the margins of said head opening, said washer being freely slidable on the tubular inlet longitudinally thereof and self-adjusting in response to the pump suction and the pressure within the tank, said washer being exposed to the pump suction and to the liquid within the tank.. I

3. In apparatus of the class described, a tank having a relatively large opening in a wall thereof, a supply opening in the tankopposite said relatively large opening, removable closure means for the last-named opening, means comprising a tubular suction opening supported by said closure means within the tank .with the suction opening in register with said supply o enin and packing means completing. a joint'between the suction and supply openings; said packing means comprising 2 a packing member freely movable; and self-adjusting'inresponse to the pump 'suction and the pressure of liquid in the-it'ankysaid packing means being exposed to both the pump ;-suction and the pressureof liquid within the 30 tank. e

4. In apparatus of the class described; a tank having a relatively large opening in a well thereof, a supply openingins the tank opposite said relatively large opening, removable closure means for th'last-named opening, means; comprising atubular suction openingsupported by said closure means the tank with the suction opening in register with said sup'ply opening, an annular washer of compressible: material surrounding and gripping said tubular suction opening andseating on the margins of said supply opening, said annular, washer beingfreely movable on said tubular suction opening. and self-adjusting in response to the pump suction and to the pressure within the tank. the washer being exposed to both the pump suction and the liquid pressure in the tank.

5. The combination with a pressure tank; motor driven pump for filling ;the tank, and a suction line leading to the tank, of a check valve in said line; a diaphragm movable to oper-'- ate said valve and having an opening therein, a

pressure lead from the tank to the diaphragm, a

float controlled valve in said tank controlling said lead whereby said last-named valve being opened pressure is communicatedto the diaphragm to move the latter and close the check valve, and an air-inlet valve in the suction line I) openedupon such movement of said diaphragm, said air-inlet valve comprising a stem and an abutment on the stem engageable by the diaphragm.

6. The combination with a pressure tank, mo- 88 tor driven pump mechanism for filling the tank, and a suction line leading to the tank, of a valve chamber in said line, a valve disc and associated seat in said chamber, a diaphragm in the chamber supporting said disc and provided with an 90- opening centrally of the disc, a second diaphragm in the chamber on the opposite side of the first diaphragm to the disc and provided with an opening, a pressure lead trom'the tank to the chamber and entering the latter on the side of the second diaphragm opposite the first diaphragm, and a float-controlled valve in said tank controlling said lead whereby said last-named valve being opened pressure is communicated to the second diaphragm to move the same and therewith the first diaphragm to seat said disc, back flow from the tank exerting a differential pressure on the first diaphragm to seat the disc.

'7. The combination with a pressure tank, motor driven pump mechanism for filling the tank, and a suction line leading to the tank, of a valve chamber in said line, a valve disc and associated seat in said chamber, a diaphragm in the chamber supporting said disc and provided with an opening centrally or the disc, a second diaphragm in the chamber on the opposite side of the first. a diaphragm to the disc and provided with an opening, a pressure lead from" the tank to the chamber and entering the latter on the side of the second diaphragm opposite the first dia- 11] phragm, and a float-controlled valve insaid tank controlling said lead whereby said last-named valve being opened pressure is communicated to the second diaphragm to move the same and therewith thefirst diaphragm to seat said disc, back flow from the tank exerting a difi'erential pressure on the first'diaphragmto seat the disc, and an air inlet valve in the suction line and operable to open position by the second diaphragm upon movement of the latter'to seat said disc.

ARTHUR w. BURKS. 

